A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 297

297. The Difference in Experience

Hugging Shin-ui tightly, Orhan sped through the misty Hwangsan Mountain.

The thick fog, which severely limited visibility, posed a significant challenge even for Orhan, a master of the outer palace. She couldn’t move in a straight line and had to make abrupt leaps and changes in direction.

She frequently launched herself off cliffs or used large rocks as springboards to gain altitude.

Orhan glanced down at Shin-ui in her arms. Despite clearly lacking any martial arts training, Shin-ui remained calm despite Orhan’s rough movements.

“Are you alright?”

Orhan asked, her eyes fixed ahead. She couldn’t risk turning her head towards Shin-ui while navigating the treacherous terrain. Obstacles could appear at any moment.

“Well, not really.”

Orhan felt a pang of guilt at Shin-ui’s reply.

“I’m sorry. It’s because of me…”

“You don’t need to apologize. I suggested it in the first place.”

Shin-ui’s bluntness made Orhan feel even more apologetic. She cleared her throat and focused on the path ahead. Suddenly, Shin-ui spoke again.

“How long have you been in this region?”

“Not long. I received the Little Palace Lord’s letter and immediately left the Northern Sea, heading straight here.”

Orhan kicked off the ground, carefully maneuvering around the large pine trees and oddly shaped rocks that materialized out of the fog.

“It must have been a difficult journey.”

Orhan chuckled at Shin-ui’s words.

“What difficulty? If it’s for the Little Palace Lord, I wouldn’t hesitate, even if it were a journey of ten thousand miles.”

A journey of ten thousand miles was no exaggeration. But for Sa Su-yeon, the granddaughter of the late Ice Empress and Orhan’s only friend, no distance was too great.

“That’s the same for me.”

Orhan turned to look at Shin-ui, surprised. There was not a trace of deceit in his eyes.

Smiling unconsciously, Orhan faced forward again.

She had wondered what would compel an ordinary doctor to take such risks, and now she understood.

Orhan tightened her grip on Shin-ui, kicking off the ground as gently as possible to avoid jarring him.

“How’s the food here? It must be very different from the Northern Sea. Was it hard to adjust?”

Orhan carefully scanned the path ahead as she replied to Shin-ui’s question.

“Not particularly difficult. They use a lot of spices, so sometimes it doesn’t quite suit my taste, but I’m not very picky about food anyway…”

“Is that so? That’s good.”

Orhan detected a strange note in Shin-ui’s voice. Glancing back, she saw him looking directly at her.

“Consuming a lot of spices isn’t good for your health, you know.”

Shin-ui, with his masculine features, spoke with earnest concern. Orhan quickly averted her gaze, trying to hide her embarrassment.

“Y-yes, that’s right. Oh!”

Orhan abruptly twisted her body to avoid a branch that had suddenly appeared. The sudden movement caused Shin-ui to jolt.

Thud.

Orhan kicked the branch aside and quickly regained her balance. She asked Shin-ui,

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Shin-ui replied casually. But the strength with which he gripped her arms betrayed his surprise.

Was he simply trying to hide his discomfort because he was a man?

For some reason, Orhan felt like laughing, but she knew that laughing openly would be rude.

Orhan looked ahead again when Shin-ui spoke.

“I’m planning to stay by Yeon-ah’s [Sa Su-yeon’s nickname] side for a while. What about you? Do you have to return to the Northern Sea immediately after this is over?”

Orhan shook her head.

“No. I’m also planning to stay with the Little Palace Lord for a while. I want to see how she’s doing here…”

This was a request from the Ice Emperor himself, not just Orhan’s personal desire. Many people were eager to know how the Little Palace Lord was faring in this distant southern land.

“It will also be a good training opportunity for my disciples.”

Orhan glanced at the Twelve Blades of the Northern Sea, who were flanking her on either side.

As if they had overheard her, smiles spread across their faces, and they began chattering excitedly with each other.

Sighing softly, Orhan shook her head. Despite her explanation about training, they were simply happy to be here.

Well, who could blame them, having come to the legendary southern lands they had only heard about?

“Yeon-ah sometimes helps me with my work.”

Orhan listened attentively to Shin-ui’s voice.

“Are you good at taking care of patients?”

“No, I’ve never done anything like that before.”

Orhan’s answer was immediate and without hesitation. For Orhan, who had dedicated her life to the sword, tending to the sick was completely foreign.

“What about sorting medicinal herbs or organizing medical-related materials?”

“I don’t know anything about medicine, and my literacy is… rudimentary at best. I’m no scholar.”

“I see.”

Orhan glanced at him, sensing a hint of disappointment in Shin-ui’s voice. But his expression remained calm.

Turning her gaze forward, Orhan said softly,

“But I can protect a sincere doctor very well.”

Though she couldn’t see it, she could feel Shin-ui’s gaze turn towards her.

“I see.”

It was the same answer as before, but Orhan imagined it sounded more cheerful this time.

Orhan kicked off the ground and sped through the misty Hwangsan Mountain valleys. No more words were exchanged, only the sound of the wind rushing past her ears.

“It’s dangerous to live alone.”

After a moment of silence, Shin-ui suddenly spoke out of the blue. Orhan frowned slightly and looked at him.

Shin-ui looked directly at Orhan and said in his characteristically low, calm voice,

“For example, if you’re eating and your airway suddenly gets blocked. If someone is there to perform a simple procedure [Heimlich maneuver], you’ll be fine, but if you’re alone, you could die. Or you could trip and fall, or carelessly lift something heavy. You could even die just sitting still, if your posture cuts off your circulation.”

Shin-ui’s words were relentless, and Orhan was bewildered.

“You need someone to scratch your back when it’s itchy. Even on the hottest day, people feel comforted just knowing someone is sleeping next to them at night.”

“What?”

Forgetting to watch the path ahead, Orhan turned to stare at Shin-ui. He looked directly at her with intense eyes and said,

“I like you. Won’t you live with me?”

In that instant, Orhan lost her balance and swayed. She had to quickly gather her inner strength and twist her body to avoid the bizarre rocks that suddenly appeared in front of her.

Thud.

Shin-ui was shaken violently. For the first time since being held by Orhan, he closed his eyes tightly.

Fortunately, Orhan quickly regained her balance.

“What is the meaning of this!”

Orhan burst out in anger.

“To say such a thing in this dangerous situation! Besides, who do you think I am that you dare to make such frivolous jokes…!”

The words ‘let’s live together’ were not to be said lightly.

Especially not to a member of the opposite sex she had met less than half a day ago.

Orhan couldn’t hide her shame, embarrassment, and anger.

Shin-ui didn’t respond. Perhaps because he had been shaken so violently, he clenched his teeth and groaned.

At that sight, Orhan’s anger subsided for a moment.

After a pause, Shin-ui said softly. But it wasn’t the apology Orhan had expected.

“Do you dislike me?”

“Are you still saying such…!”

Before Orhan could continue her angry tirade, Shin-ui said quietly,

“If you let go of me now, I will die.”

Shin-ui’s words were true. Speeding through rough terrain, simply letting go of him would result in serious injury or death.

Even without the current situation, Orhan, a master of the outer palace, could kill Shin-ui with a single finger.

“But do you think I would make such vulgar jokes to you right now?”

That was unlikely. Shin-ui wasn’t a playboy from the entertainment district, but a doctor.

How could someone who handled people’s lives act so carelessly in this dangerous situation?

“But why!”

“Until now, I have never said the words ‘let’s live together’ to anyone in my life.”

In fact, many women had expressed their affection for Shin-ui, from women of powerful families to those with ties to the imperial court.

However, they only wanted Shin-ui’s reputation and medical skills to protect their power and wealth.

“You are the only person I have ever said those words to.”

There was not a hint of falsehood in Shin-ui’s eyes. Orhan was speechless, and her face turned bright red.

She quickly turned her head, unable to meet his gaze.

“Wow, so you’re risking your life to flirt right now?”

One of the Twelve Blades of the Northern Sea called out from behind. Another voice immediately responded,

“That’s not flirting, that’s a proposal. To be held by a woman and propose so shamelessly—no, so confidently…”

“Ooh, I’m jealous anyway.”

Orhan tried to ignore the voices of her young disciples drifting through the fog, and she avoided looking at Shin-ui.

Swish, whoosh.

The sound of the wind rushed past her ears. Orhan kept her eyes fixed ahead, but she couldn’t control the blush on her cheeks.

She was afraid Shin-ui would hear her heart pounding so loudly when he suddenly said,

“That way.”

Orhan was startled.

“H-huh?”

“Where Yeon-ah and Bin-ie are. It’s right there.”

Shin-ui said calmly. Only then did Orhan understand.

“Ah, y-yes, that’s right.”

A faint light could be seen through the thick fog. They were approaching the Little Palace Lord and the Blue Wolf [Son Bin’s nickname].

Orhan felt relieved and headed in the direction Shin-ui indicated. But she also felt a twinge of disappointment.

*

*

*

Hanging a small lamp on a tree branch, Son Bin was reading a letter.

It wasn’t dark enough to need a lamp, but it was there for the children.

Taking a thin brush, he wrote a simple sentence, blew on it to dry the ink, then carefully folded it and handed it to the green-haired girl, Noga.

“Thank you, Noga. Is it too difficult?”

Noga smiled brightly as she took the letter.

“No. It’s very fun. Can I do it again later?”

Smiling back, Son Bin replied,

“Yes, let’s do it with the other children next time.”

“Yes!”

Son Bin gently stroked Noga’s head as she answered energetically.

“Be careful. You are precious children.”

“Hehehe.”

Noga laughed happily, then straightened her body and said seriously,

“Then, I’ll be back!”

“Okay.”

Thud.

As soon as Son Bin finished speaking, Noga disappeared into the fog. Sa Su-yeon, who was standing next to him, looking around, smiled.

“The children are truly admirable.”

“Yes. I’m grateful, and I also feel a little sorry.”

Son Bin said, looking in the direction Noga had vanished. But Sa Su-yeon shook her head.

“No. I think the children enjoy it. It’s hard to explain, but…”

What shone in the eyes of the five children was pride. Being recognized by important people would surely be a valuable experience for them.

“You can see it in their eyes.”

Son Bin smiled at her words.

“Thank you, Young Lady Su-yeon. Thank you for saying that.”

“You’re welcome, Young Master Son.”

Sa Su-yeon smiled, tilting her head lightly. Her beauty left Son Bin momentarily speechless.

However, Sa Su-yeon soon turned and resumed guarding their surroundings. With the heavy responsibility of protecting Son Bin’s safety, she couldn’t let her guard down for even a moment.

Son Bin suddenly recalled memories of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain [a mountain in Yunnan, China] in the past.

‘Come to think of it, Young Lady Su-yeon protected me like this back then, too.’

Son Bin looked at Sa Su-yeon again. Her dignified stance was truly beautiful. Anyone would agree.

‘Besides, Young Lady Su-yeon is…’

Sa Su-yeon’s character was upright and pure. It was clear whom she resembled.

And in the Seowon [a type of private academy in Korea], she showed a gentle side, embracing others. Even Dang Wol-ah, who struggled with social interaction, opened her heart to Sa Su-yeon.

‘Is it her mother’s influence?’

She was the woman Sa Ja-hyeok had fallen in love with. And if he remembered correctly from his time in the Northern Sea, Sa Su-yeon’s mother was also no ordinary person, in the best possible way.

‘Hoo, she’s truly an amazing person.’

Son Bin couldn’t help but admire Sa Su-yeon again. After all, she was the daughter of Sa Ja-hyeok and the Little Palace Lord of the Northern Sea.

In this era where status was everything, Sa Su-yeon’s was comparable to the imperial family, though they would never admit it.

Rustle.

The wind lightly shook Sa Su-yeon’s hair as it passed by. If it weren’t for her being Sa Ja-hyeok’s daughter, would he have ever had the chance to exchange even a single word with such a beautiful and wonderful young lady?

Son Bin, who had been staring blankly at her picturesque profile, suddenly realized something.

‘C-come to think of it!’

Son Bin suddenly felt his heart pounding. Opportunities like this were rare, even in the Seowon.

‘Stay calm and don’t panic…’

Son Bin recalled a past memory. He had once overheard women chatting in the Seowon.

Jeok Se-hwa and Old Madam Dang Un-yeong were leading the conversation, and the other young ladies were listening intently. Jeok Se-hwa had said,

“It has to be natural. If you sense someone approaching with an ulterior motive, it feels awful. Your impression of them will naturally be the worst.”

‘Naturally, naturally.’

Son Bin repeated those words, trying hard to remember. Jeok Se-hwa had also said,

“Who is popular these days? Everyone says they like funny men, right?”

‘Funny.’

Son Bin muttered the words ‘naturally, funny’ to himself.

‘But what was funny…’

Suddenly, the ‘Original Confucian and Taoist Discourses’ [a fictional book] he had studied in the Seowon came to mind.

Every student had been impressed by the book, which encompassed numerous ideological systems and penetrated to their core. There was even a rumor that ‘the author of the book must have attained enlightenment and ascended on clouds.’

Everyone had been interested in that story, and Son Bin had found it fascinating.

But would Sa Su-yeon also find it interesting?

‘This won’t work. Ugh, isn’t there anything else?’

Nothing else came to mind. He had spent years reading such books day and night, and he considered himself far from funny.

Son Bin, secretly tearing at his hair, tried to calm himself. He couldn’t let this golden opportunity pass by while worrying.

‘F-first, let’s have a natural conversation…’

“Ahem. Y-young Lady Su-yeon.”

“Yes?”

Sa Su-yeon turned her head and looked at him. Son Bin smiled as naturally as possible and said,

“T-the weather is really nice.”

“Yes?”

That was definitely a slip of the tongue. He had tried to be natural and comment on the weather, but his nervousness had caused him to say, ‘The weather is nice.’

Sa Su-yeon couldn’t help but be puzzled. The weather was nice when there was thick fog all around?

She looked around, but saying the weather was nice was absurd.

Perhaps there was some other meaning, so she carefully scanned their surroundings again. But there was nothing strange or dangerous.

“I-I’m sorry. I don’t really know what you mean…”

Son Bin screamed inwardly, seeing Sa Su-yeon looking apologetic for not understanding.

‘Ugh. What did I say? This is not good weather at all.’

Sa Su-yeon’s reaction was natural. She wouldn’t understand because of the fog.

But it was also strange to say, ‘The weather is not good.’ In some ways, the current weather was mysterious, as if they had stepped into an ink-and-wash painting.

“Ah, well. That’s because, I mean…”

It was already a failure, having to explain. Son Bin stuttered, trying to salvage the situation, when Sa Su-yeon suddenly turned her head sharply.

Swish.

Her hand reached for her sword hilt. And a familiar voice echoed through the fog.

“Little Palace Lord!”

“Ah.”

Sa Su-yeon’s face lit up. It was the voice she could never forget, Seomoksu Orhan.